The groundbreaking also marked the signing of a joint venture
agreement among STI, and the families of Mr. Tan Caktiong, and “Injap” Sia II
for the establishment of the agricultural school/commercial complex. Designed
to accommodate 5,400 senior high school and college students next school year,
the academic center will stand on a 35,114 square-meter property at Soledad
Park Subdivision, Barangay Darasa, Tanauan, Batangas. Meanwhile, the CityMall
will house affiliated brands such as Jollibee, Mang Inasal, Chowking, Red
Ribbon, Highlands Coffee, SM Savemore, Watsons Pharmacy, Ace Hardware, SM
Simply Shoes, BDO, ChinaBank Savings, and SM Appliance. The property is located
in the main commercial area of Tanauan, Batangas.

Three months ago, STI and Tony Tan Caktiong signed a Memorandum of
Understandingin an effort to boost agricultural education in the country
through a farm-to-table
school that will offer agricultural courses including managing quick-service
and gourmet restaurants.

"My
experience in JFC has given me unique perspectives on the challenges and
importance of having a consistent and reliable supply of high-quality
agricultural products. I am excited with this collaboration as it will help to
uplift the agricultural and related sectors through education, another
potential means for us to contribute to nation-building," Tan Caktiong
said.

Despite
a predominantly agriculture-based economy, it is ironic that agriculture as a
profession has lost its appeal to the youth due to perceptions of agriculture as a less prestigious and profitable
profession. Studies show that the average age of a farmer is 57 years
old, posing threat to food security, productivity,
and sustainability.

This condition is more prevalent in
rural areas where farming has been the primary source of income and where much
of the population still lives in poverty. Based on the National Statistical
Coordination Board’s report in 2009, poverty incidence is highest among
fishermen and farmers at 41.4 percent and 36.7 percent while the poverty
incidence was pegged at 26.5 percent.

Tanco recognized these challenges and
said that it is crucial
to devise an up-to-date curriculum and amplify the domain of agriculture in
preparation for the ASEAN integration, where production and trade will be
borderless. “It is imperative for both students and educators to cover the
entire agribusiness commodity system and employ innovative approach and
technology to be at par with the global standards in agricultural education,”
he added.

Anchored on practical, entrepreneurial
skills, and the latest technology in agriculture, STI intends to revive the
young generation’s interest in agriculture through innovation, farm
mechanization, and industry linkages.

The partnership will transform STI College – Tanauan as the
initial vehicle for this collaboration with the intent to replicate to other
STI campuses around the country when this initiative comes to fruition.

The academic center will house state-of-the-art agriculture
facilities and equipment. The green space will consist of a farm field,
greenhouses, farmhouses for pastoral activities and backyard farming, as well
as a rainwater harvesting system for irrigation and other uses. It will also be
equipped with industry-grade simulation laboratories, air-conditioned
classrooms with flat screen TVs, student activity centers with internet
connection, a covered basketball court, and multimedia centers.

The successful operations of campus expansions for the past years
led STI to scale up its educational network in the country. The company
recently listed P5 billion worth of bonds to finance the expansion of its
campuses and other general corporate requirements. The bonds were issued in
tranches with the first tranche at P3 billion in seven-year and 10-year tenors.

STI ESG is also set to break ground in five new campuses in Lipa,
Pasay-EDSA, Davao, Sta. Mesa, and San Jose del Monte in Bulacan which will all
be operational by June 2018.

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